Obama Turns Attention Back to Football Injuries

President Barack Obama watches the Galesburg High School football team practice in 2011.

Associated Press

President Barack Obama late this month will host a summit on youth sports safety and concussions, part of an effort to raise awareness of head injuries amid rising concern over their long-term impact on health.

Football is the one of the country’s most popular sports, but a sizable minority of American adults would encourage their children to play something else because of links between repeated blows to the head and degenerative brain disease.

White House spokesman Jay Carney on Friday said the May 29 event wouldhelp draw attention to safety issues and also lead to new commitments on ways to identify, treat and prevent concussions.

“As both a parent and an avid sports fan, the president appreciates the role that sports play in the lives of young people, and his administration is committed to helping ensure that children continue to be active and play sports safely,” Mr. Carney said.

Research has suggested a link between concussions and dementia, depression and other brain-related illnesses.

The White House said a list of participants was not yet available.

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